November 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 46

PuBlic health continued from page 43

availability and pricing at area grocery,
gas station, and convenience stores, as
well as public and active transportation
options to and from these locations. A task
force was commissioned, and the Jackson
Police Department, city and county governments, faith-based leaders, businesses, and public service agencies gathered
to develop plans to address the unavailability of healthy foods and create a safer environment that would draw mainline
grocery stores and other businesses to
the city. The City of Jackson implemented
a " Safe Neighborhoods " initiative that successfully created community gardens in
empty, abandoned lots in the downtown
and target areas available for the public to
access fresh produce. The City of Jackson
Recreation and Parks Department also
rejuvenated its West TN Farmer's Market,
which now averages between two and
three thousand customers on Saturdays.

The success of the market caused available vendor spaces to sell quickly- but
rather than turn away farm vendors, the
city will direct them to off-site " mobile
markets " that travel to underserved communities and sell fresh produce. In 2012,
the city also plans to offer Electronic Benefits Transfer/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (EBT/SNAP) sales at the
farmer's market to make healthy, fresh
foods more easily accessible and affordable to the low-income and elderly customers who qualify for the program.
Park and recreation leaders across the
country are implementing programs that
target economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. While some focus on walkability
improvements to better connect inner city
neighborhoods to downtown areas, others
such as Philadelphia Parks and Recreation
implement summer feeding programs and
" playstreets, " blocking off small city streets

to allow youth who do not live in the immediate area of a recreation center to have a
safe place to play. Pricing incentives and
amendments to policies governing access
to park and recreation facilities have also
helped improve access by underserved
communities. The possibilities are endless, and parks and recreation should be
fully engaged in improving the health and
well-being of underserved communities.
After all, it is our mission to provide affordable and accessible recreational resources
and services to all citizens.
NRPA supports communities that are
implementing successful practices to promote health and wellness. For more information on these programs, please visit
www.nrpa.org/achieve or www.nrpa.org/
cppw.
ZaRNaaZ BashiR is NRPA Director of
Strategic Health Initiatives.

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November 2011 - Parks & Recreation

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